PUTRAJAYA: Investigations into Teoh Beng Hock’s death will be carried out transparently and independently without any external interference, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“I have stated the government’s stance that we agreed for the police to reopen investigation papers on Teoh’s death.
“I guarantee that investigations this time will be carried out transparently and fairly without any external interference, especially after taking into account the views of the Appeals Court regarding this case on Sept 5, 2014,” said the Prime Minister on Facebook on Thursday (Aug 1).
In July 2011, a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) found that Beng Hock’s death was due to suicide.
However, in September 2014, the Court of Appeal ruled that Beng Hock’s death was caused by multiple injuries from a fall from the building which was accelerated by "an unlawful act or acts of person or persons unknown" including MACC officers who were involved in the case.
Anwar also said he has met with Beng Hock’s father Teoh Leong Hwee, mother Teng Shuw Hoi, sister Teoh Lee Lan and son Teoh er Jia.
“I have listened to their concerns and requests. I have followed this case closely and I understand the sadness and suffering that his family have gone through in seeking justice for Beng Hock,” said Anwar.
Anwar had earlier met with Beng Hock’s family, their lawyer Ramkarpal Singh and Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo at 3pm in a meeting that lasted 30mins.
On July 15, a brief commotion occurred outside Parliament when Teoh Beng Hock Association for Democratic Advancement (TBH-ADA) and other supporters arrived following a three-day 40km “walk for justice”.
The group had planned to hand over a memorandum with a list of demands, among them calling for a thorough and transparent investigation into Beng Hock’s death.
However, as the group approached Parliament, they were prevented by the police from entering the building and subsequently Beng Hock’s sister Teoh Lee Lan fell down to the ground and was allegedly injured.
After the incident that was recorded on video gained traction on social media, Anwar said he would meet the group in due course.
On July 16, 2009, Beng Hock was detained overnight for questioning on the 14th floor of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office in Shah Alam.
He was later found dead on the fifth-floor landing of the building.
In May 2015, the government agreed to pay Beng Hock’s family RM600,000 as a settlement for a civil suit initiated in 2012 for negligence resulting in Beng Hock’s death.
In January 2022, Beng Hock’s parents filed for a judicial review to compel the police to complete investigations into his 2009 death.
Last month, the High Court set Oct 29 to deliver its ruling on a judicial review brought by Beng Hock’s family against the police.
